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FAA clears Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser for runway landings at Vandenberg, enabling a planned spring 2027 first flight

The FAA has issued Sierra Space a reentry license allowing its Dream Chaser spaceplane to land at Vandenberg Space Force Base, clearing a key hurdle for runway returns from orbit. Sierra Space is planning the spacecraft’s first flight for spring 2027; the vehicle is designed to carry up to 12,000 pounds.

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Who takes responsibility for manufacturing in orbit?

An opinion piece examines the operational risks, business models and unresolved challenges involved in moving manufacturing from space experiments to an industrial activity. It asks who will be accountable as companies seek to turn orbital production into a commercial enterprise.

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SpaceNews.com

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Reflect Orbital raises $73.5 million for plans to reflect sunlight to targeted locations on Earth

Reflect Orbital, whose proposal to direct reflected sunlight to specific locations on the ground has drawn both interest and controversy, has raised $73.5 million. The announcement adds substantial financing to a commercial space concept whose intended application is sunlight delivery from orbit.

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Via Satellite

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Firefly signs up to 10 Alpha launches for Synspective through 2030 as demand grows for its launch services

Firefly Aerospace has agreed to launch up to 20 of Japan’s Synspective’s StriX radar satellites on as many as 10 Alpha flights through 2030. The company says Alpha Block II can carry 1 ton and offers responsive launch capability; the deal adds to a separate, reported $1.3 billion engine-supply agreement with AST SpaceMobile.

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